Divide Your Wealth Into Three Piggy Banks For Optimal Returns

If you feel like you’re not in control of your finances, you’re not alone – many people have been dealt devastating blows lately, losing large amounts of their money. For those whose retirement money is invested in the stock market, including many members of the baby boomer generation, this truly is a troubling time.

No matter the current economic status, there is one very important step investors can take to keep their wealth safe – and growing.

Here it is, in a nutshell: for optimal return and to guarantee they’ll still have money left at the end of the day, savvy investors have to divide their wealth between three ‘piggy banks.’  There is a universal truth in a balance of three.  The three-legged stool has better balance than a four-legged stool.  If one leg happens to be slightly shorter, the three-legged stool naturally adapts and is still solid.  Now, there will be a little tilt to the seat, but you will not get the rocking back in forth as weight shifts like you would on the four-legged stool.

These piggy banks include:

Savings. This is one piggy bank you should never, ever touch under any circumstance. I don’t care if you’ve been given the deal of a lifetime that will increase your wealth 100 times over, your savings piggy bank should remain intact. The money in your savings piggy bank will be your safe and secure blanket that will keep you covered in times of need and that you’ll be able to count on to feed and clothe your family should the other piggy banks shatter. In addition, the money in your savings piggy bank is generational wealth that will be passed on after you die. Psalm 12:6-7 proclaims: ‘The words of the Lord are pure words. Like silver tried in a furnace of earth. Purified seven times. You shall keep them. O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.’ Here I believe God is saying that the word of God is pure and true but he is equating it with silver, a commodity that is to be handed down throughout the generations.

Investment. This piggy bank is available for investing in the opportunities mentioned above. You can afford to take a few risks with this money because if you lose it all, as painful as that may be emotionally, you’ll still be able to survive physically.  Matthew 25:15 declares: ‘And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.’  In this story, the persons who received the five and two talents both doubled their money and the Lord said ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’  But the person who got one talent buried it in the ground and the Lord called him ‘lazy’ but he said he was ‘afraid.’ I see many people who are afraid to invest money because they might lose it.  The balanced approach discussed in this article will help take the fear out.  1 John 4:18 says: ‘There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment, But he who fears has not been make perfect in love.’

Giving. This piggy bank is reserved for charity. You can dole out your funds to less fortunate individuals and families, causes you believe in, or a combination of the two.  Our money comes from God, so it’s important to give back to our fellow man if you’re blessed with healthy finances. You can also give your time, which many people believe is even more valuable than money. Numbers 18:26 says: ‘…When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the Lord, a tenth of the tithe.’ The tithe of 10% is the minimum generally agreed upon in religious circles, but an offering is something given on top of the tithe.  I believe we all should aim high and want to maximize our giving.  Count your blessings as there is always someone with less.  Generousgiving.org is a great source to learn more about giving.

No matter what your salary, you should be dividing a certain percentage of your finances among these three piggy banks. Even if you can only afford $.75 per day, you should split that $.75 equally into the three piggy banks. After all, even $.75 per day adds up over the long run.  The important thing is that you commit yourself to dedicating a certain amount of money into your three piggy banks each and every day, and you will start seeing your wealth grow.

There’s an important distinction I should make: most people mix savings and investments, which is the absolute last thing you want to do.

These people might have $100,000 in mutual funds, IRAs, 401k’s, or other retirement funds, and they think they’re covered in terms of savings. Big mistake!

That’s not to say that retirement accounts are bad or that you shouldn’t put your money into them. On the contrary, stash as much money as you can afford into those accounts…as part of your investment piggy bank. Then match that investment in your savings piggy bank and your giving piggy bank, and you’ll be set.

That way, if the stock market tanks like it’s been doing lately, you won’t find yourself in a panic because your retirement account, a.k.a. entire life savings, has gone up in flames.  Losing any money still hurts, of course, but it won’t be as big a deal as if all of your money was wrapped up in the failing accounts.

Having your wealth split between three piggy banks means you’ll have true diversity in your finances, and you’ll be able to keep your head above water while so many other people find themselves drowning in financial woes and unable to recuperate. The balance of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will help you keep all money matters in perspective. 

Ask yourself this all-important question: Are you looking for your riches on earth or in heaven?

write by Elmer